DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-42,258

JOAN FABRICS CORPORATION
PILOT LOCATION
HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA

Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an active determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance,
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers in
the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision thereof,
have become totally or partially separated, or are
threatened to become totally or partially separated;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly to
the separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.

The investigation was initiated on October 21, 2002 in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Joan Fabrics
Corporation, Pilot Location, Hickory, North Carolina. The workers
at the subject facility produce plush velvet fabric. The
investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been met.
The investigation revealed that the Joan Fabric Corporation
did not import plush velvet fabric during the relevant period.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
customers regarding their purchases of plush velvet fabric. This
survey revealed no imports of plush velvet fabric from 2000 to
September 2002.
Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers at Joan
Fabrics Corporation, Pilot Location, Hickory, North Carolina, are
denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under Section
223 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 5th day of December, 2002.



/s/Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance